DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Another man accused of assaulting his wife in front of his three young children in Kokoland was arrested and appeared in court this week. This is the third man arrested and charged with domestic violence against women recently.
The defendant, a 51-year-old man from Samoa...

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two men arrested and charged for disturbing the peace inside their homes by assaulting their wives and making unreasonable noises told investigators that the alcohol they consumed was purchased with money from their stimulus checks.
The first case occurred in Tafuna...

Sydney, AUSTRALIA, — Ruth Mataafa was killed by her ex-partner on Saturday afternoon at a home in Bidwell in Western Sydney in front of family members.
Police officers found 22-year-old Mataafa outside the home with multiple stab wounds to her chest, side and back.
She was treated by NSW Ambulance...

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The case of a man accused of burning his wife’s clothes has been transferred to the FDA court (Family, Drugs and Alcohol) because the alleged case involves domestic violence.
On May 20, 2020 about 3:25p.m, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a phone call from a...

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man convicted last year for 3rd degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, both involving domestic violence is now back in court after police arrested him last week on the allegation that he assaulted his wife again.
To protect the identity of the victim,...

(Samoa News was asked to publish the following writing of a Domestic Violence victim — it’s anonymous — by the local Community Outreach Organization, Back on Track. We do not usually publish ‘anonymous’ writings, however the organization assured that it is in the DV survivor’s own words, and that ...

Honolulu, HAWAII — It’s been nearly two weeks since Gov. David Ige issued a mandatory “stay-at-home” order for all Hawaii residents in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. But for some, home is not the safest place.
“In these times, unfortunately, domestic violence ticks up,” said Hawaii Lt. Gov...

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who is on probation for a drug conviction was arrested by police two weeks ago on the allegation that he assaulted his wife and his wife’s lover in a domestic violence incident at the male victim’s house in Tafeta. However, when police apprehended the defendant,...

Nuku'alofa, TONGA — As countries across the Pacific implement measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, women's advocates are concerned what it might mean for vulnerable people in violent relationships.
A family advocate in Tonga said the national lockdown and closing of borders had added stress...

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of holding a knife to his ex-girlfriend’s throat in the presence of their young children was arrested by police and is now in custody. While arresting the man, police found 2 small baggies of methamphetamine on him.
The defendant made his initial appearance...